FAQ

1. What is Whooshfly™

Whooshfly™ is a technology platform that connects travelers with a vast network of FAA- and DOT-licensed operators and their fleet of aircraft, including access to over 5,000 regional and metropolitan airports for a first-class travel experience.

2. What is Whooshfly™ not?

Whooshfly™ does not own, operate or fly any aircraft. Whooshfly™ is not an aircraft charter operator, airline or on-demand air taxi. Instead, Whooshfly™ is a clean, collaborative and easy-to-use interface empowering travelers to access thousands of aircraft and operators.

3. Do I need to buy a membership to use Whooshfly™?

Unlike many of our competitors, Whooshfly™ does not charge a membership fee. It is completely free to use. Just download the app, complete your profile and start planning your next adventure!

4. How does it work?

Rather than purchasing a seat on an airplane, you (and your crew) can charter an entire private plane to get from point A to point B. Whooshfly™ simplifies the process and makes it easy and affordable to access private aircraft services like never before. Simply: Request — Accept — Share — Book

1) If you want to fly alone or exclusively with friends and/or family, select Private;

2)If you want to reserve a flight and allow Whooshfly™ to locate additional passengers to share the flight with you, selectCommitted Flight-Share;

3) If you want to fill the empty seats on your flight with people from your social network (or other Whooshfly™ users) before committing to the trip, select Uncommitted Flight-Share.

Your request will be sent to all charter operators in your area who will then have eight hours to respond with a quote. Whooshfly™ will notify you each time a quote comes in, and then you can select the best option for your unique travel needs.

6. Why should I use your system?

The beauty of our system is that you “our customer“ have complete control over the outcome. You are under no obligation to select a quote and move forward in the process if you don’t want to, so compare the quotes and select the one that works best for you and your crew. And since operators compete with each other to earn your business, you’ll always get the best price possible. Operators and pilots strive to provide exceptional service before, during and after your trip to encourage you to fly with them again.

7. What types of private charter flights are out there?

Air charter companies offer a variety of aircraft, including single engines, turboprops, light jets, mid-size jets, large jets and even helicopters.

When booking a private flight through Whooshfly™, you’re booking the entire plane for you and your party, from wherever you want, to wherever you want! And rest assured: we fully vet every operator based on safety, qualifications, customer focus, cleanliness, training and other important factors before we include them in our network.

8. What are Flight-Share charter flights?

Let’s be honest: renting a private jet can be cost-prohibitive for many people. Luckily the Flight-Share model allows passengers to share the cost of a flight with others in order to make it economically feasible. After all, if you’re willing to fly with dozens of strangers on a commercial flight, why not on a private jet? Whooshfly™ makes this process simple for customers, as the operator is responsible for seeking out additional passengers and collecting the pro-rated share of each seat.

You can also choose who you travel with. Whooshfly™ makes it easy to share your itinerary with travel buddies and split payment among multiple accounts. Looking for someone to fill that last empty seat on your flight? Using the Whooshfly™ app, share the trip details on social media to see if anyone in your network wants to hop on board.

9. How is a Committed Flight-Share different from an Uncommitted Flight-Share?

Committed Flight-Share: A user books a flight and gives Whooshfly™ permission to fill the empty seats with other users to reduce the cost per person. Each passenger then pays a pro-rata price for their seat, rather than paying for the entire plane. The initial user commits to the flight whether other users purchase seats or not, with the option to cancel the flight per the cancellation policy.

Uncommitted Flight-Share: A user tentatively books a flight, but it will not be finalized until a minimum number of Trip Riders has been confirmed. Once the minimum number of Trip Riders commit, the trip is confirmed and all Trip Riders are responsible for paying their pro-rata share directly through the app.

10. What is a Trip Owner?

Remember the last time you took a road trip with a group of friends? Whoever owned the car probably made the initial plans, invited the friends, decided what time to leave and what route to take. Well, the Trip Owner is kind of like that (except they’re not driving the plane and dealing with the unplanned bathroom breaks).

The Trip Owner determines the dates, times, departure location, destination and aircraft type. They also assume certain responsibilities for the trip, as stated in the terms and conditions.

Other users are allowed to request to join the Flight-Share, but the Trip Owner has sole discretion on whether to accept or deny their requests. Kind of like when that one friend who’s always running late asks to carpool with you and you tell him the car is already full!

11. What is a Trip Rider?

A Trip Rider is any user who joins a Committed or Uncommitted Flight-Share initiated by a Trip Owner. Trip Riders are responsible for paying the pro rata share for their seat.

If you’re the Trip Owner and you want to pay for your friends or family to accompany you, then you have the option to pay the full amount and let your guests ride free of charge. How generous of you!

12. What is TripShare™?

TripShare™ is our proprietary public-facing bulletin board where Trip Owners can post their upcoming Flight-Shares for other Whooshfly™ users to view. Users can then request to join (thereby splitting the cost) and the Trip Owner can accept or deny their requests.

13. How do I book a trip?

If you selected a Private trip or Committed Flight-Share, you can review the quotes from operators and select the option that best fits your requirements and proceed to book your trip. The booking process will require you to e-sign a chartering service agreement with the operator and Whooshfly™ Technologies to facilitate the process and serve as a payment intermediary (make sure you read the terms and conditions). Each operator is unique, so be sure to review the details of the agreement. After you submit your e-signature on the agreement, you will be required to submit your payment details to complete the transaction.

If you requested an Uncommitted Flight-Share, Whooshfly™ will only proceed to the booking process after the extra spots have been filled per your specifications.

14. How do I pay for the trip?

After you e-sign the chartering service agreement, Whooshfly™ will prompt you to enter your billing information. You can pay by credit or debit card (PayPal and Venmo will be available soon).

15. Why do I need to e-sign an agreement every time I book a trip?

Like any chartering service, both the customer and the service provider must execute a contract specifying the type of service, number of passengers, date and time in order to secure the flight. Thankfully, we’ve made the process easier and more efficient for all parties.

16. How will I know that my flight is confirmed?

After signing and accepting the chartering service agreement and submitting your payment, Whooshfly™ will email you a reservation and payment confirmation number.

17. Can I cancel a flight after it’s confirmed?

We know that life happens and unforeseeable events occur. If you must cancel an already confirmed trip, we will try our best to work with you and the operator. But keep in mind, there are many components involved with reserving, scheduling and preparing a plane and pilot for service. So the sooner you notify Whooshfly™ about your change of plans, the fewer penalties you will incur. Call 844.777.7654 to make a cancellation request.

Whooshfly™’s cancellation policy is as follows:

Cancel more than seven days prior to departure time and receive a full refund.

Cancel between three and six days prior to departure time and receive an 80% refund.

Cancel between three days and 24 hours prior to departure time and receive a 50% refund.

Cancel fewer than 24 hours prior to departure time and receive no refund.

18. I can’t wait. How do I get started?

It’s simple! Download Whooshfly™ from the Apple store, open the app, sign up for a free account and complete your traveler profile. You may also want to watch our quick tutorial and see it in action. Then, you’re ready to start planning your first flight! Android users, Whooshfly™ for Android is coming soon. Thank you for your patience!

19. What is the difference between private charter, fractional ownership and scheduled services?

Fractional ownership (like a timeshare) involves multiple people sharing ownership of an asset (aircraft) and formalizing an agreement on when and how often each co-owner is allowed to use the asset. While this model works for affluent individuals, it is cost prohibitive for the general public.

Private aircraft charter involves the owner of an airplane agreeing with the help of an operator to let other people use their plane on a per hour basis when they are not using it. This is normally a one-time charter agreement with no long-term financial commitment.

Scheduled services (what most airlines fall under) follow a different set of FAA rules and regulations.

20. How much does it cost to travel by private jet?

The cost of flying by private jet depends on the type of aircraft, flight times, variable and hourly rate, distance from originating location to departure location and back, airport fees and other miscellaneous costs. For a ballpark estimate, Whooshfly™ provides a price estimate tool that allows you to view the price range for each class of aircraft.

Preparing for a Trip

21. Which private plane airport is closest to my home and my destination?

Most people are unaware there are about 5,000 regional and metropolitan airports that are smaller, easier to get to, less crowded and with cheaper (and sometimes free) parking than international airports. Traveling in and out of these airports allows you to avoid waiting in those mile-long TSA lines and traversing those never-ending terminals.

Many of these airports are closer to where you live and work, saving you time, money and stress as you travel through them. Our developers are currently working on a feature for the app that will locate the airport nearest you when you enter your address or zip code, so stay tuned for that!

22. What happens when I get to the Airport?

Most regional and metro airports are subject to the same FAA, DOT and TSA regulations as larger airports. Make sure you check the airport’s website for specific instructions on how to get to your plane. We are working with the operators to make sure someone (usually a ground representative or the pilot) will be there to welcome you and escort you to your plane. If your flight is delayed due to weather, airport traffic or that one friend who is always fashionably late, most airports have a private lounge for you to relax in while you wait.

23. How long before my flight do I need do check in?

We recommend you arrive at the airport at least 15 minutes before your flight’s departure time. Whooshfly™ will remind you of your flight a few hours before your departure time. Running a bit late? Just notify the pilot through your app and he/she will take the necessary actions to ensure everyone is notified about the delay.

24. How do I know my aircraft is safe?

Whooshfly™ only works with the most customer-centric, ethical and safety-conscious operators, because we are committed to providing outstanding travel experiences to all. We consistently monitor the charter companies and crews that operate our selected aircraft to ensure they abide by DOT and FAA safety regulations.

25. Do I still have to wait in TSA security lines?

All U.S. airports are subject to the rules and regulations of the TSA, so you will still need to pass through a security checkpoint. However, you’ll be pleased to discover how much quicker and more efficient the process is at smaller airports.

26. Do I need to pay for my children?

All children age two or older are required to have their own seat on an airplane, per TSA regulations. If you are booking a Private Charter, it doesn’t matter how many children you bring (as long you’re within the plane’s capacity). But if you are sharing the plane with other users (Flight-Sharing), you will have to pay for a seat for each child age two or older. Toddlers under the age of two may sit on an adult’s lap.

27. Can my pet travel with me?

You can take your pet on most flights, subject to operator approval. Make sure you indicate in the special instructions field that you would like to bring your pet, and provide the animal’s breed, weight and size. Please make sure to read the terms and conditions of the charter agreement before you book your flight, as some operators have specific rules regarding pets.

28. I have special instructions (I am allergic to animals). What should I do?

If there is anything that will make your flying experience more enjoyable, please let us know so that we can create the perfect flying experience for you. When booking your trip, make sure you include any special instructions in the section provided or call us at 844.777.7654 so that we can include it on the pilot’s manifest.

29. Will food or beverages be provided on my flight?

Usually, the airport or operator will provide catering for your flight. If you are unsure about the catering status of your upcoming flight, call us at 844.777.7654 and we will happily make arrangements with the operator or airport catering agent on your behalf.

30. How much luggage can I take on my flight?

The amount of luggage you can take depends on the size of the aircraft and the number of passengers traveling. For a small plane, the normal baggage limit is one per passenger plus cabin luggage. If you have abnormally sized sporting or electronic equipment, please call us at 844.777.7654 so we can help you find the right aircraft for your needs.

31. Why does the system need to know my weight?

Pilots and operators need to know the total weight they will be carrying in order to calculate the balance and fuel needed to fly the plane safely. Pilots are required by the FAA to collect this information in order to ensure your safety and the safety of those flying with you. While there is no defined weight limit per passenger, it is important to allocate the weight a specific way depending on the type and size of the aircraft.